Musician, engineer and creative entrepreneur Chris Chetland was one of the founders of the now defunct Kog Transmissions label, which helped launch the careers of drum 'n' bass group Concord Dawn and hip hop star P Money. Chetland still works at Kog Studios where he's continuing to churn out the hits, mixing down platinum albums for the likes of Scribe and setting up Handmade Records with John Chong-Nee.

Chetland is also a participant in the 2007 ART Venture programme, where he is developing a sustainable business model that benefits musicians.Musician, engineer and creative entrepreneur Chris Chetland was one of the founders of the now defunct Kog Transmissions label, which helped launch the careers of drum 'n' bass group Concord Dawn and hip hop star P Money. Chetland still works at Kog Studios where he's continuing to churn out the hits, mixing down platinum albums for the likes of Scribe and setting up Handmade Records with John Chong-Nee.

Chetland is also a participant in the 2007 ART Venture programme, where he is developing a sustainable business model that benefits musicians.At what time of day do you feel most inspired?
Depends on what's going on and who I'm hanging out with, so we could probably average it out and say all day.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Tall, beardy, and today I'm green.

Which musician has had the most impact on you?
The KLF. Other than that, Chong-Nee or Skinny Puppy.

How does your academic background inspire you creatively?
It's just an aspect of me that I subconsciously use as a lens or filter in probably quite a lot of my general perception and intuition of stuff that goes on in my life. I wouldn't be the me of the present here and now without it - (hope that doesn't sound too strange).

What do you do when you hit the musician's version of writer's block?
I don't write. I can usually keep myself entertained with other things, so it's not really a stress.

What books do you have on your bedside table?
I mainly just read stuff on the internet these days. Quite often gardening ideas (and genetics related to it). The great thing about the net for me is that quite often I just decide on something during the day and then get home and learn how it works. For example, the other night I taught myself the basics of celestial navigation used by the Polynesians. It was really interesting.

What's your advice for emerging New Zealand musicians?
Be multi-skilled, play a number of instruments (especially guitar and keys), and also have other skills that relate to the field (e.g. TV or film, or law etc.). Also remember that in New Zealand, musicians are the second lowest hourly rate earners of all the creative industries (after dancers). So be aware of that and make your decisions with that in mind - be realistic with a firm hand on having fun as well and you'll do okay.

With the constant drop in CD and vinyl sales, how will musicians make money from their music in ten years' time?
By being accountants or computer programmers. Other than that, there's still live gigs, merchandise etc. Apparently musicians should budget that 20% of their income will come from CD sales, so work on the other areas.

What philosophy has always been there in the way you approach life?
Philosophies change throughout life, so I'll have to hedge my bets and say the philosophy of change. (Which is sorta handy 'cos I've also spent a fair wack of time studying that over the last 15 or so years.)

What's the biggest selling song you've worked on?
Scribe - "Not Many". The best one is Chong-Nee - "You Got My Heart". Otherwise, Baitercell - "Leap of Faith" (with Jordan Reyne).

What was the most enjoyable aspect of being part of Kog Transmissions for you?
Making a difference with things I thought were important at the time.

What is more important to musical history, the guitar or the computer?
For history, guitar; for future, computer.

If you had $1,000 to spend on promoting a new album, how would you spend it?
I'd hire a publicist who has all the knowledge and hookups already sorted. A good one can move mountains that you wouldn't even get to base camp on otherwise.

Who do you think is/was the most significant thinker of the 20th century?
Goethe, even though he died well before then. The way he influenced so many thought processes is incredible. If you are being strict on 20th century, then perhaps the KLF.

What's the best name for a song that you've ever heard?
"Soundtrack To Jesus' Triumphant Entry Into The City Of Jerusalem", mainly 'cos it's so long.

What's the best gig you've ever played, and why?
Support for Shapeshifter's national tour in 2005, mainly 'cos they are the best live band ever so it was really exciting to get to play and then see them straight after and learn from the masters.

What's your favourite word, and why?
Starts with a 'c', ends with a 't' - it's about the only proper swearword left, so it's an endangered species and should be protected. (Unless you're in Ireland, where it's about as common as possums are here.)

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Everywhere apparently... Other than that, I really like the Waitakeres (well, any New Zealand native bush, really).

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
An aircraft carrier. (It might be a bit abstract, though - does that matter?)

What's great about today?
I get to be in it, it's always an adventure.

Interview by Anne Larnach

10/7/07